Jungle Goddess

Jungle Goddess
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Lewis D. Collins
Produced by William Stephens
Screenplay by Jo Pagano
Starring George Reeves
Ralph Byrd
Wanda McKay
Music by Irving Gertz
Cinematography Carl Berger
Edited by Norman A. Cerf
Production
company
Distributed by Screen Guild Productions Commonwealth Pictures reissue
Release date
  • August 13, 1948 (1948-08-13) (United States)
Running time
 62 minutes
Country United States
Language English

Jungle Goddess is a 1948 American action/adventure crime film starring George Reeves, Ralph Byrd, and Wanda McKay. Directed by Lewis D. Collins, the film was based on an idea by producer William Stephens.

Jungle Goddess was later featured in a Season 2 episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000.

Plot

In Africa, pilot Mike Patton is persuaded by an acquaintance, Bob Simpson, to conduct a search for a missing heiress whose plane supposedly went down in the jungle, resulting in her never being seen again.

Encountering an indigenous tribe of natives, Bob recklessly shoots a man. He is taken before a woman, Greta, who is being treated like a high priestess. Bob is sentenced to die, but when she gets Mike off to herself, Greta pleads with him to help her escape.

During a struggle, a gun goes off and a guard is left dead. With the tribesmen in pursuit, Mike and Greta are betrayed by Bob, who has gone mad. But after he is killed by a spear, Mike and Greta make it to the plane and safely get away.

Cast

  • George Reeves as Mike Patton
  • Wanda McKay as Greta Vanderhorn
  • Ralph Byrd as Bob Simpson
  • Armida as Wanama
  • Onest Conley as Drummer
  • Rudy Robles as Nugara
  • Jack Carroll as Accompanist
  • Dolores Castle as Yvonne
  • Fred Coby as Pilot
  • Helena Grant as Mrs. Fitzhugh
  • Reed Hadley as Radio Newscaster (uncredited)
  • Sam Harris as Bar Patron (uncredited)
  • Linda Leighton as Helen Phillips (credited as Linda Johnson)
  • William H. O'Brien as Bartender (uncredited)
  • Smoki Whitfield as Oolonga the witch doctor
  • Zack Williams as Chief M'benga

Production notes

The film was the first to be produced by Robert L. Lippert's independent production company, Lippert Pictures.[1]

Lippert borrowed George Reeve to star and filming started in June 1948.[2]

Reception

The Los Angeles Times called the film "so corny" the audience the reviewer saw it with "died laughing when they weren't razzing on it."[3]

The film was popular enough for a follow up Green Gold which became Thunder in the Pines.[4]

Home media

In 2006, Jungle Goddess was released on Region 1 DVD in the United States by VCI Home Video. The film was paired with another title starring George Reeves, Thunder in the Pines (1948).[5]

References

  1. ↑ Davis, Blair (2012). The Battle for the Bs: 1950s Hollywood and the Rebirth of Low-budget Cinema. Rutgers University Press. p. 84. ISBN 0-813-55324-5.
  2. ↑ Schallert, E. (1948, May 28). Hodiak star in 'bribe,' carlson will produce. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.sl.nsw.gov.au/docview/165839834?accountid=13902
  3. ↑ Schallert, E. (1948, Oct 29). Powell duels with sultry jane greer; outlaw queen. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.sl.nsw.gov.au/docview/165854083?accountid=13902
  4. ↑ challert, E. (1948, Jul 13). Cameron story-buyer; 'green gold' slated. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.sl.nsw.gov.au/docview/165891603?accountid=13902
  5. ↑ Tye, Larry (2012). Superman: The High-Flying History of America's Most Enduring Hero. Random House Digital, Inc. p. 353. ISBN 1-588-36918-8.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.